In brief
The Israeli military has forcibly evacuated patients from Kamal Adwan hospital, citing operations against Hamas in the area. Medical professionals express grave concerns over patient safety, particularly for those in critical condition, while the hospital grapples with the aftermath of recent strikes that have reportedly killed several individuals, including medical staff.
The Kamal Adwan hospital in northern Gaza has become the center of turmoil as the Israeli military has forcefully evacuated the facility, following a series of airstrikes that reportedly killed dozens in the area. Hospital officials reported that the military gave staff just 15 minutes to evacuate patients and medical personnel around 7:00 AM last Friday.Eid Sabbah, the head of the nursing department, revealed that Israeli troops came into the hospital and began the evacuation process. The Israeli military claimed the operation targeted what they labeled a "Hamas terrorist stronghold." They stated that civilians and medical staff were facilitated to evacuate, but details on their relocation remain unclear.Dr. Sabbah expressed deep concern about the evacuation, pointing to severe risks involved, particularly for patients in intensive care who require specialized ventilation equipment. He noted that adequate transportation for these patients is essential to ensure their safety.Hours prior to the evacuation, hospital director Dr. Hussam Abu Safiya stated that around 50 casualties had been reported from strikes in the hospital’s vicinity, including the deaths of five medical personnel. Reports detailed a building opposite the hospital targeted by Israeli airstrikes, which led to the fatalities of essential medical staff and others.Despite these accounts, the Israeli military claimed they were unaware of strikes in the immediate vicinity of Kamal Adwan hospital and were in the process of verifying claims about the deaths of medical workers.Since the beginning of the Israeli military’s offensive in October, the hospital in Beit Lahia has been under a stringent blockade, significantly hampering medical and humanitarian efforts in the region. The United Nations has categorized the situation in northern Gaza as a "near-total siege," straining access to vital aid for the remaining civilian population.Amid the chaos, the hospital's administration has pleaded for protection amidst growing hostilities, claiming the facility has been a consistent target for strikes. Oxfam noted ongoing challenges faced by aid agencies attempting to deliver supplies, attributing their difficulties to systematic delays imposed by Israeli forces.
